Proverbs 10:11 – “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”  NASB

We are all aware of the biblical admonitions about taming the tongue and the dangers and damage done by an unruly tongue.  We know, from the Bible and life that an uncontrolled tongue can do incredible damage and harm.  It brings defeat because of its negativity.  It robs of spiritual blessing because of its fruit.  It is a deterrent to biblical faith.  The tongue, though small, is incredibly powerful in what it can accomplish and is compared to the rudder of a ship determining its direction.

I suggest there are two types of tongues worthy of our consideration.  The Unruly Tongue (Evil and Sinful).  The Tamed Tongue (Sanctified). We won’t deal exhaustively or extensively with these but use them as a catalyst to help us gain an understanding of how to have a Sanctified Tongue.

THE WORDS WE SPEAK AFFECT OUR FAITH.

There is power in words.  Some have pressed that beyond reasonable limits but to ignore or deny the power of words would be foolish.  There are two types of words that have a definitive impact on our faith.  Negative Words that fuel the carnal are those filled with fear, doubt, confusion, gossip, and harshness.  Positive words that inspire faith include words of praise toward God, reflection on heaven, victorious, and quotations of the Bible.

If the words coming out of our mouths are negative, they indicate and feed a diminished faith and strengthen the carnal man in his rejection of God and biblical principles and precepts.  If we speak positive words, they strengthen our confidence and trust in God and express the condition of the heart that is Trusting, Hopeful, and Surrendered to the Almighty Creator of all Things – Jehovah God!

THE WORDS WE SPEAK ARE A PRODUCT OF OUR THINKING.

We find in Luke 6:45, a clear explanation of that truth, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”  The heart is the mainspring of the soul and we find in Proverbs 23:7 – “For as he thinks within himself, so he is.”

We say words and take actions that grow out of our thoughts.  Proverbs 4:23 informs us and encourages us to, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”   Jesus said in Matthew 15:11 – “Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”   Therefore, we understand that what we think about and how we think is expressed in our words.

OUR WORDS HAVE POWER.

I am reminded of the words of Job in his response to his ‘friends’ who were demonstrating that they were, in truth, ‘physicians of no value.’  In Job 6:25, “How forceful are right words!” 

The powerful declaration of our LORD in Mark 11:22-24 instructs us of the power of our words and thoughts. He said, “Have faith in God. 23 “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. 24 “Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you.”

Spiritual Words inspire faith and encourage as is seen in Ephesians 5:19 and spiritual thinking inspires spiritual and faith-filled words as reflected in Philippians 4:8. Words, believed, founded upon the Word of God, produce right action and help us progress in Him.

It is important that we cultivate our thoughts and direct them toward spiritual things in God and let our words be words of victory rooted in the Promises of God.  Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:13, “Hold fast the form of sound words.”  Refuse to be negative!  Jesus is the answer and He is our Hope.  The Promises of God are sure, and He never fails to keep His word.

A Sanctified Tongue wins souls and leads people to Christ.  A Sanctified Tongue makes peace (Proverbs 15:1). A Sanctified Tongue inspires faith, comforts, and encourages.  True Christlikeness is manifested in our words as well as in our walk.  Therefore, my prayer is, “LORD help me to develop a Sanctified Tongue.”

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!